A Sunday morning memory........people who influence your life

What was the moment in time that changed your life, or at the least,  opened your eyes and caused you to be where you are today? Was it a single event?  Was it an individual, .... perhaps a teacher who inspired you to follow in that profession?  Or did you feel like you never had a choice in the matter...or never wanted to choose?

Some of my early academic successes at Our Lady of Mercy

When the stars crossed and my  turn arrived to take a crack at the world, the event happened over the midwestern city of Dayton, Ohio. which was my birthplace, my hometown, .. and I guess it was written in the big book eons ago that this is where I would sort out the decisions I had to make, no one knows. ...you just took the ticket and got on board.

I was fortunate enough to attend a parochial grade school that gave me a solid foundation, and even after my repeated attempts to derail my train of life, I still managed to get out of there with all ten fingers and most of my knuckles still in working order. And then onward,  my attempts to what would be the continuation of my academic successes in life, my high school days at Fairview High School.  I have hundred of stories of those days that I share often, but back to the persons or events that helped make me who I am today. 

It was a high school Journalism teacher from Northridge High School, in Dayton Ohio. He was the manager of the Jewish Community Center during the summer, and I worked there each summer, from '66 through '69,  upon my return to Dayton from the University of Oklahoma. Ben Campbell, shared thoughts and ideas all day long and he told me in so many words, while his walrus-like moustache moved up and down as he spoke, "Life is going to throw you a whole lot of pitches...some fast balls, some curve balls and some right down the middle of the strike zone....just keep your eye on the ball and you'll know which one to hit.....swing at it like there's no tomorrow and you'll hit a home run".

I took Ben's advice and even though I struck out a few times and even occasionally got hit by the ball I've managed to find what I was searching for....I found that purpose.......I'm a story teller and that ain't half bad........and I think Ben would have liked that.

A Broken Wing and a Broken Heart

I live each day...just a day at a time....I live my life with the firm belief that things happen for a reason.....It's the only way I could have lived all of these years, if I wasn't supposed to be here for a reason......and dang it, it happened again today.

As luck would have it, there was a beautiful mottled pigeon kinda walkin' around the front yard with what appeared to be a broken wing. I didn't bother with it at first , hoping that maybe it would just go away and I wouldn't have to do anything...but I knew before the end of the day, we'd be dropping him off at a bird clinic somewhere.......and we did.

That was all and good...but the rest of the story is what breaks my heart.....we took the bird to the Richardson Animal Shelter after Pattye had checked around the Internet to see where we could get some assistance......I must tell you...this is a first class facility......it made me proud to be a citizen of Richardson, Tx. after seeing what a clean, orderly, friendly place that houses lost and abandoned pets.......

We dropped off the pigeon that I had captured and left it with the gentleman at the front desk after being reassured it would be taken care of......and then....and then...we should have just left...but we didn't......I asked if it was okay to look at the dogs.......

 

As I said the facility is spotless, the dogs have a "run" inside and outside, little nylon beds to get them up off the floor and plenty of room to exercise....they looked healthy and well taken care of despite the fact they were lost or abandon.

We've been dogless for over 12 years now ever since our English Springer Spaniel had to be put down. I have to admit, it's comfortable not having to worry about getting home to let the dog out or finding some way to have her cared for when we travel....but even still...it's nice to have that feeling of a dog at your feet at night.

So we walked the aisles several times looking at each dog, commenting on each one, wondering why they were in there...perhaps  lost or abused or who knows. Some were skittish, some were scared, some were hungry for love...each one kinda sayin "pick me, pick me".

Well, I saw a mixed kinda shepherd maybe, kinda spaniel...and she just was desperate to be petted. she's the black one near the end of the video that I spend a little time with. Actually, she's the farthest thing from what I have been looking for...I'm trying to find just a good ole' yeller dog that just kinda lays around...My days of runnin' and exercising and trainin' a dog are kinda over...I'm tired...I just want to put my hand down, have it licked and that's about it....but Dang it, "Molly", (we named her already) just wanted to be loved.....

We took her outside and walked her around...she was wanting to run and was pretty high strung but as I talked to her she calmed down and just waited for her next command while her ole tongue hung out the side of her mouth. We talked about if we were making the right choice living such a long time dogless and quite honestly, Patttye was more onboard with this than I was.

We went back inside and decided to adopt her......Richardson had discounted the fee to only $3.00 in conjunction with this weekend's Wildflower Festival and we discussed it some more....

At that point, I decided I just wasn't sure if Molly would be the calm dog I was looking for. I just wasn't sure. My plans were to have her with me all day long, riding in the cab of my truck....bein' at my feet at home...but I was a little concerned how she would be when left alone at certain times of the day..........

I took her back to her cage......rubbed her ears and told her, "Molly. you'll find a good home"....she looked at me and said "What did I do wrong?"

Tonight, I'm blogging ...both to pass the time and to tell you my story..........I wish Molly was at my feet.......I might just go there tomorrow and bring her home.

A Mothers Day Message

Hi Mom. 

Happy Mother's Day...I know. I know....I don't call enough....I'm sorry....Yes, I know you like hearing from me and yes, I agree, calling you on Mother's Day is like going to church once a year on Easter.

Dave. Me, Mom and Ricky

So...how are you feeling?.....I know you don't have any pain any more and for that I'm happy. And, I know you get to see Dad everyday now. I'm sure he's enjoyin' himself and probably reading and taking naps whenever he wants to. 

I'm sure you and Ruth Dilts talk everyday now, just like you did for practically every day of your lives.  I can't believe you find new things to talk about each day.

Things are okay in Dallas, but I hear and read the landscape is changing in Dayton.....Fairview and Colonel White are now gone and they're tearing down Julienne as well. Loos is gone too but Our Lady of Mercy is still there....Shawen Acres is soon to be nothing but rubble. We did save the stained glass windows at Fairview High School  that you commented on one time. I guess I never noticed them at the time while going to school.

Dave's feeling a lot better ever since his what he likes to refer to as a heart  "incident" and Ricky finally has that little grandbaby he has always wanted and  I know he'll be a great grandpa. I know he misses Ann, but I know you are taking care of her there with you.

I still take it a day at a time and I finally went to the doctor and got a pretty good report. I finally gave up smoking after 50 some years and I kinda watch what I eat.

I'm working hard to finish my book......yes, I know some of the stories are a little embarrassing...but heck, I think people will enjoy them.

Say "Hi" to "The Jer" for me and Eddie. Eddie reminds me each day of some of the crazy things we did growing up and I know you prayed every night I would come home safe. I guess God heard your prayers. 

I miss you and think of you daily. Several of my friends have been joining you these past few years and I know you watch out for them. 

I'm stayin' out of trouble for the most part and I kinda try to be a good person like you taught me to do. 

I love you, Mom,

Tommy

Shawen Acres. a piece of history, awaits its fate...

And once again, another piece of history awaits its destruction.

True, I'm partly a sentimentalist. But that's okay. It means I have feelings and compassion.

True, I'm partly a realist. It means I accept the way things are and adjust to the situation.

True, I'm partly a pragmatist. I want what's best and practical for the people.

But where does it stop. Who finally stands up and says, "No more".

With the instant access to news sources available, I make it a point each day to read the on-line newspaper of my childhood hometown, Dayton, Ohio. The news there is not much different from news in any other Midwest town or city, nor for that matter,  no different than what I read in the Dallas papers. Crimes, successes  new openings and yes, closings all permeate the stories as I look for familiar names or places to help me have a thought or two about a period of my life that was fun and peaceful. It seems though like there are more closings than I would hope for.

Of course, schools and other buildings have a life expectancy and we shouldn't want them to live out their declining years on a respirator while we pump hundreds of thousand of dollars trying to keep them alive simply for sentimental reasons. But that doesn't mean we can't find a way to pay our respects to what they stood for, both literally and figuratively.

One of the cottages that was home to hundreds of kids

I saw yesterday that Shawen Acres, in Dayton, was soon to meet it's maker with the removal of the remaining crumbling buildings that once served as an orphanage in my neighborhood. It served that purpose for half a century and as the system found new ways to house young children through foster homes, it no longer served its intended purpose.

I grew up with several kids who called Shawen Acres their home. I practiced football on the grounds while a student at a nearby catholic school. There were good kids and not so good kids that lived there....the same as any neighborhood. And now, unless a last minute reprieve is offered to relocate one of the stucco cottages with tile roofs to possibly Carillon Park....the memories, albeit some good and some bad, will disappear with the buildings.

Another institution that will now soon be all dust and rubble, was Julienne High School and of course, if you read this blog regularly, you will know Fairview High School  met it's demise earlier this year. Thousands of students went to these schools over the years and now only their faded memories will be left. And of course, Fairview High School was where I learned to become a man.

I'm not trying to live in the past by keeping these now relics breathing at the taxpayer's expense. But, doesn't anyone in Dayton have the forethought to plan for a way for our future generations to know our past. Why do the powers that be suddenly walk into a building that has stood the test of time, but has had absolutely no care-taking provided in the last years, and expect to find something more than just crumbling waste.

Shame on you,  city fathers and mothers. Are you simply trying to erase the past because it was an uncomfortable time for you during this period?. Or are you simply unresponsive to your citizens wants and desires. Find some way to remember your past...without it you have no compass to find your future.

Finally, I have video and audio of a "Close Encounter"

First of all, I'm not twisting your arm to read this. You came here on you own volition. I only present the facts.

Next:

Yes, this is my 4th "Encounter".

No., I haven't had a drink in over a decade.

Yes,  I smoked a little doobey back in the 60's but I never got into "hard drugs".

No, I am not insane, crazy, or confused. Although I do have a fascination with head brains. If I was younger I would go back to school and become a head-brain surgeon.

Yes, I have considered doin' a self-lobotomy, but well....I just don't have all of the equipment I need yet. Also, I have on my bucket list to go visit the frozen remains of Ted Williams at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Ariz. Also I want to go see the kind of crazy rock formation, "Devil's Tower",  in Wyoming, where they filmed "Close Encounters of a 3rd Kind"

!st Encounter:

I remember it vividly, well that's not the word I used when I told my friends about it. I was only 7 at the time. But, I remember it well. My friend, "The Jer", and I were walking home after watching a sci-fi movie up at Loos School during a warm summer evening where they held Summer Recreation programs. Once or twice a year, the counselors would show a 16mm movie up against the wall and all of the kids and some parents would come and watch it. "The Jer"  and I sat in the grass in the front row and watched the movie as we occasionally made hand puppets that would appear on the wall. After the movie, we walked home, and while ambling down Wampler Avenue, we felt the presence of a giant round object hovering above us. We looked up and saw some images with giant round heads, a single eye in the front and red and green flashing lights. We then  ran like hell to our respective homes and never said another word about it. We swore each other to secrecy.  "The Jer" has since passed on, I think, so he can't really corroborate this story, but I will admit, we discussed numerous times the idea of "faking" our demise, so he could in fact stil be around.

2nd Encounter:

I don't like to discuss this much.... the basics are as follows. I was going through a rough period in my life. I was consuming a lot of alcohol. I saw an image  levitating horizontally  in a field. He had a long beard, was wearing robes and smiling.. He raised his hand as kind of a way to like maybe bless me (any catholics would interpret that as making a sign of the cross)...but instead he flashed me the peace sign and said, "Right on, brother".I just get a little leery talking any more about this.

3rd Encounter:

This was about 15 years ago. Both Pattye and I saw it. It was around 3 AM in the morning. She was the District Manager for Circulation for the Richardson, Texas area of the Dallas Morning News and we were out checking on her employees. The "Mother Ship"  hovered over us for approximately  3 minutes. It was about the size of the mother ship you may have seen in "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind". Speaking of which, and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with my encounter last night. But last night  I was watching "Close Encounters" for the 78th time on Turner Classic Movies. (Close Encounters and Apollo 13 are 2 of my top ten movies).. Anyway, we used CB radios back then and her employees started calling and saying "Did anyone see that??...There were a lot of oohs and ahhs on the airwaves. Then we saw lights streaking across the entire sky. We turned on the radio and heard reports for the rest of the night on a "talk show " that had sightings from Oklahoma to New Mexico. The next day, there was simply a little blurb in the newspaper, "Space debris falls to earth"...Yeah right.

4th Encounter:

Last night I was suddenly awakened with the noise of unknown sources. I saw lights flashing. I heard strange sounds. And I stared at the sky for over 3 minutes...right there in my undies on a cool Spring night.... but the best part is I took video and audio. No doubt some of you nay-sayers will say it was simply a plane or a helicopter or me making something up. It doesn't matter. I saw it. I filmed it. I think....not for any special reason....I think I might  just be someone "they" are interested in.....  Please do not call me on the phone, you never know who might be listening. Emails are OK.